Dillard nabs Sangamon County GOP endorsement

Gubernatorial candidate Kirk Dillard can add another endorsement to his collection following an announcement by the Sangamon County Republican Central Committee Monday night.

After a 30-minute executive session, the matter was brought before the full committee, which voted unanimously to give the nod to the state senator from Hinsdale.

“We are so grateful and humbled by this support,” said state Rep. Jil Tracy of Quincy, Dillard’s running mate, speaking in place of Dillard because he was attending a debate.

“We consider this the premier Republican county of the state,” she said. “To have this support shown in the county that houses the state capital, we are very humbled by it.”

The committee had already made several endorsements in October, but held off on choosing candidates for governor, treasurer, U.S. Senate, 7th circuit judge or state Senate until closer to the March 18 primary election.

Also endorsed Monday were former Illinois House minority leader Tom Cross of Oswego for treasurer, state Sen. Jim Oberweis for U.S. Senate, John “Mo” Madonia for circuit judge and Linda Little of Decatur for the 48th state Senate district race.

SCRCC secretary Bruce Stratton said the committee conducted polling throughout Sangamon County to help them in their decision to endorse Dillard and the other candidates.

“The results suggest that (Dillard) is very popular in this county,” Stratton said.

Among the four Republicans running for governor, Dillard polled at 41.4 percent, with Winnetka businessman Bruce Rauner at 21.8 percent, state Sen. Bill Brady at 11.8 percent and current state treasurer Dan Rutherford at 8.2 percent.

Dillard didn’t always have such good numbers in Sangamon County. Stratton said the committee didn’t endorse for the governor’s race sooner because “the mathematics of a four-man race are pretty interesting.”

“Three weeks ago, the numbers looked a lot different than they do now,” he said.

“One of the (other) things we look at is electability,” Stratton said. “Electability in that race looks a lot different today than it did in October.”

Also attending Monday’s event was treasurer candidate and current DuPage County auditor Bob Grogan of Downers Grove, who asked for the committee’s support even though he knew he wouldn’t be endorsed.

“It’s always better to get an endorsement than to not get an endorsement, but I’ve had assurances from many people in the room that they’re supporting me anyway,” he said. “I don’t walk away with my tail between my legs.”

Some expected the committee also to endorse a candidate in the two-man Republican race for Sangamon County sheriff, but party chairwoman Rosemarie Long said the polling in that race featuring current Undersheriff Jack Campbell and retired sheriff’s Lt. Wes Barr was too close, so the committee decided to abstain.

The primary election is March 18. Voters wanting to cast their ballots sooner were allowed to do so starting Monday.